Wales unveils Steve Tandy as new head coach

The Welsh Rugby Union has named Scotland’s defence coach and ex-Ospreys head coach Steve Tandy as their new head coach.

Tandy, who worked as a defence coach with Warren Gatland's British and Irish Lions in South Africa in 2021, has just returned home after Scotland’s summer tour and will start his new role on 1 September.

The former Neath and Ospreys flanker becomes the first Welshman in the role on a full-time basis since Gareth Jenkins in 2007.

Wales ended their two-year, 18-game losing streak by grinding out a 31-22 win over Japan in the second Test match in Kobe on Saturday 14 July. The morale-boosting victory was their first since defeating Georgia in the World Cup in October 2023 as they bounced back from their loss to Eddie Jones’ Brave Blossoms in the first Test in Kitakyushu.  

Tandy, who was contracted to Scotland until 2026, has been unveiled 160 days after ex-head coach Gatland left his post during the Six Nations and was replaced by interim head coach Matt Sherratt who also led Wales on their Japan tour. The length of his contract has not been revealed but the WRU has said that he will lead the team to the 2027 World Cup in Australia.  

Picture courtesy of Six Nations Rugby

The well-travelled Port Talbot native led Bridgend to the WRU Division 1 West title in 2011 while still playing for Swansea-based region Ospreys. He then steered the Ospreys to the RaboDirect Pro12 title in 2012 before a stint with the Sydney-based Waratahs and joined Gregor Townsend's coaching ticket in 2019.

Wales’ new head coach said: “Becoming head coach of my home country is a massive honour and a privilege.

“I am looking forward to playing a role in the rebuilding phase of Welsh rugby and taking the national team back to competing with the best countries in the world.

“I am excited about the potential of Welsh rugby and the group of young, hardworking players we have.

“The autumn fixtures represent a huge opportunity and gives us a chance to test ourselves against some of the best teams in world rugby.”

Tandy’s first game in charge of his country will be against Honda Heat captain Pablo Matera’s Argentina, who knocked Wales out of the 2023 World Cup in the quarter-final, on Sunday 9 November at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

Wales host Japan on Saturday 15 November before home clashes against New Zealand on 22 November and back-to-back world champions South Africa on Saturday 29 November.